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I think CN is saying the flat ruined his opportunity - i.e. chance - for victory, not that it robbed him of an assured victory.

"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!

"Apart from being a victory over Tom Boonen, it was certainly a victory over myself," said the Isle of Man cyclist, winner of four stages in last year's Tour de France (VeloNews)

"When you are chewing the bars at the business end of a 90 mile road race you really dont care what gear you have hanging from your bike so long as it works."ΛΧΑ ΔΞ179 - 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order!